Dental system for symmetry of jaw, palate, and teeth

ABSTRACT

Dental apparatus, systems, and methods for providing anterior, lateral, and vertical movement, an apparatus including a posterior portion to be affixed to and supported by a posterior dental structure of a patient; and an anterior portion connected to and separable from the posterior portion, the anterior portion operable to provide anterior movement, lateral movement, and vertical movement to an anterior dental structure of the patient.

PRIORITY

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/871,424, filed Jul. 8, 2019, the entirety of which isincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND Field

Embodiments of the disclosure relate to insertable and adjustable dentalexpander devices. In particular, embodiments of the disclosure relate toinsertable and adjustable dental expander devices to provide anterior,vertical, and/or anterior-lateral movement to teeth, a jawline, and/orpalate for promoting aesthetically pleasing facial and/or dentalstructures.

Description of the Related Art

Dental expander devices are known, and generally expand outwardly in thelateral direction over time to provide spacing between teeth which lackproper spacing between them. For example, in children and young adultsonce “permanent” or adult teeth have replaced “baby” teeth, the teethmay be out of alignment, compacted, and co-located too close together.Prior to an orthodontist applying braces to straighten and align theteeth along with the upper and lower jawbones, upper and/or lowerexpanders may be applied to the top jaw and lower jaw. Such expandersmay be semi-permanently attached for a period of time via dentalcementation, or such expanders may be generally removable andre-insertable by the patient, removably affixing to portions of theteeth and/or palate.

Expanders generally expand in the lateral direction over time by a gearturned by a key. As the expander expands over time, spacing is providedbetween existing teeth. Once sufficient space is provided betweenexisting teeth, expander use can be discontinued and braces, forexample, can be applied to align teeth, optionally with other correctionmechanisms, for example rubber bands, to align the upper and lower jawof a patient. While expanders provide adequate lateral movement toprovide spacing between teeth, no adequate technology exists forproviding frontward (anterior) movement, vertical (downward or upward)movement, and/or anterior-lateral movement to teeth, a jawline, and/orpalate for providing spacing, symmetry, and/or support to these dentalstructures.

SUMMARY

The disclosure presents dental and orthodontic appliances to promote andaid in developing symmetry and/or aesthetically pleasing facialstructures in adults and children through remodeling, support, andexpansion in one or more directions. In certain embodiments, a dentalappliance can provide for controlled movement in multiple directions(planes) for dental structure movement in adults and children. Forexample, a single device may simultaneously provide the options foranterior, anterior-lateral, and vertical (downward or upward) movement(pressure). Importantly, devices of the present disclosure are compactand reduce bulkiness, while also providing a soft surface to reducedirect pressure and allow for 24-hour wear and slow, controlledmovement. The exemplified devices do not impede speech while worn.

In some embodiments, fiber-impregnated materials such as high-strength,light-weight plastics or polymers are used. In some embodiments,acrylics can be used. High-strength, light-weight metals and wires canalso be used. The use of light-weight wire technology allows forreduction in the number of screws or gears to provide necessary movementand expansion of the devices. One or more surfaces of the device incontact with oral tissue, gums, and/or teeth is optionally covered witha thin cover or coating of soft, gel-like material to distributepressure and guard against painful pressure points. A suitable gel-likematerial is soft enough to prevent undue pressure on any particularpoint, but firm enough to provide gentle pressure/movement over time atparticular points, such as at the inner front palate of a patient or atthe inner side of the front teeth of a patient.

Systems and methods of the present disclosure can apply a computergenerated evaluation of the best facial structure ratios for aparticular patient, for example to result in requiredtooth/palate/jawline movement to achieve a face with best ratios andsymmetry achieved through palate-tooth movement. In an embodiment, adental professional uses a computer generated evaluation of thepatient's current facial structure and the ideal movement required forthe teeth and palate to determine how the teeth and palate must be movedto generate the suitable result, for example the forward movement of anupper or lower palate or teeth for the movement of a front upper orlower lip, respectively.

Three dimensional (“3-D”) imaging can be used in certain embodiments tomap out teeth and/or facial structure ratios and/or relationships, aswell as aid in projecting movement of the teeth, palate, and/or facialstructures, as well as placement of implants. Three dimensional imagingshowing the position of facial features and soft tissue aids a dentalservices provider in planning movement to provide an aestheticallypleasing facial appearance. Three dimensional imaging applied toembodiments here include the projection of stressors and/or pressuresnecessary to achieve the desired result of dental component placement inaddition to or alternative to facial appearance, as well as to avoidexcessive pressure at one particular position. Pressure and/or movementcreated in surrounding teeth/soft tissue may be necessary to achievedesired movement that would be difficult or even contraindicated due toexcessive pressure at one particular point. Three dimensional imaging inembodiments of the present invention allows for planning movementcreated in multiple planes and in multiple directions over time.

Once optimum position is obtained for teeth, a jawline, and/or palate toachieve a pre-determined best ratio or symmetry for a patient's face,devices of the present disclosure can be used to provide minimal butconstant pressure to maintain the placement of the dental structure andto encourage bone development or maintenance. For example, as a patientages and natural bone loss occurs, devices of the present disclosureallow for a soft, cosmetically-pleasing appearance to be obtainedthrough movement of the teeth, jawline, and/or palate in the anterior,anterior-lateral, and/or vertical direction. Optimum forward pitch of apatient's teeth, jawline, and/or palate can provide lip support andother facial symmetry as a patient ages, providing a more youthfulappearance. In some embodiments, only anterior movement can be requiredand provided, while in other embodiments only vertical movement can berequired and provided.

Therefore, disclosed here is a dental device for providing anterior andvertical movement, the device including a posterior portion to beaffixed to and supported by a posterior dental structure of a patient;and an anterior portion connected to and separable from the posteriorportion, the anterior portion operable to provide anterior movement andvertical movement to an anterior dental structure of the patient. Insome embodiments, the device is further configured to provideanterior-lateral movement to the anterior dental structure of thepatient. Still in other embodiments, the posterior and anterior portionare connected by a wire, the wire operable to move in the anteriordirection. In certain embodiments, the posterior and anterior portionshave a hinge disposed therebetween to allow rotation of the anteriorportion such that vertical movement and pressure are applied against ananterior dental structure of the patient. In certain embodiments, thehinge is adjustable and lockable. In certain embodiments, the hingeincludes or is generated by an anterior joint and a posterior jointpivoting about the wire.

Still in other embodiments of the device, the posterior portioncomprises a first posterior portion and a second posterior portion, andthe anterior portion comprises a first anterior portion and a secondanterior portion. In certain embodiments, a wire connects the firstposterior portion, the first anterior portion, the second anteriorportion, and the second posterior portion, and the wire is adjustablebetween the first anterior portion and second anterior portion toprovide outward lateral movement of the first anterior portion andsecond anterior portion toward an anterior dental structure of thepatient.

Still in other embodiments, the device comprises a first adjustable andlockable hinge between the first posterior portion and the firstanterior portion, and the device further comprises a second adjustableand lockable hinge between the second anterior portion and the secondposterior portion, the first and second hinges operable to rotate thefirst and second anterior portions to provide vertical movement towardand pressure on an anterior dental structure of the patient. Still inother embodiments, the posterior dental structure of the patient isselected from the group consisting of teeth, a jawline, and a palate.

In certain embodiments, the device provides symmetry to at least oneanterior dental structure to provide facial symmetry to the patient inaddition to lip support.

Still in other embodiments of the device, the device includes a screwbase and a screw, where the screw is operable to allow for rotation inand out of the screw base such that the rotation provides movement andpressure in the anterior dental structure. The screw and screw based canbe positioned anywhere in the device, for example in an anterior portionor posterior portion, or both, of the device.

Still in other embodiments, the device includes one or more attachablepads, the attachable pads positioned on the anterior portion of thedevice, where the attachable pad is operable to provide movement andpressure to the anterior dental structure.

Additionally, disclosed here is a method for providing pressure to ananterior dental structure of a patient, the method including determininga suitable level of facial symmetry for a patient and necessary movementof teeth, a palate, and/or jawline to achieve the suitable level offacial symmetry along with lip support; and providing anterior,vertical, and/or anterior-lateral movement to the teeth, a palate,and/or jawline to achieve the suitable level of facial symmetry. In someembodiments of the method, the step of providing anterior, vertical,and/or anterior-lateral movement comprises the use of the devicedescribed. In some embodiments, the step of providing anterior,vertical, and/or anterior-lateral movement further includes the step ofbending the wire of the device described. In some embodiments, the stepof providing anterior, vertical, and/or anterior-lateral movementfurther includes the step of adjusting the hinge of the devicedescribed. In some embodiments, the step of providing anterior,vertical, and/or anterior-lateral movement further includes the step ofturning the screw out of the screw base of the device described.

Still in other embodiments, the step of providing anterior, vertical,and/or anterior-lateral movement further includes the step of adding anattachable pad to the device described, where the attachable pad ispositioned on the anterior portion so that the attachable pad isoperable to provide movement and pressure to the anterior dentalstructure.

In some embodiments, the step of determining a suitable level of facialsymmetry for a patient and the necessary movement of teeth, a palate,and/or a jawline to achieve the suitable level of facial symmetry alongwith lip support includes the use of a computer generated evaluation.

Additionally, disclosed here is a method of manufacturing a dentaldevice, including the steps of determining a suitable level of facialsymmetry for a patient and necessary movement of teeth, a palate, and/orjawline to achieve the suitable level of facial symmetry along with lipsupport, taking a dental impression of the patient, and generating thedental device of claim 1 using the dental impression so that anterior,vertical, and/or anterior-lateral movement to the teeth, a palate,and/or jawline is provided to achieve the suitable level of facialsymmetry. In some embodiments, the method of manufacture also includesthe step of installing a hinge into the dental device, so that the hingecan generate the proper amount of anterior, vertical, and/oranterior-lateral movement. In some systems and methods described, onlyanterior movement or only vertical movement is provided to correct adental structure for facial symmetry.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the presentdisclosure will become better understood with regard to the followingdescriptions, claims, and accompanying drawings. It is to be noted,however, that the drawings illustrate only several embodiments of thedisclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting of thedisclosure's scope as it can admit to other equally effectiveembodiments.

FIG. 1 shows a side view of a patient jaw structure including an outlineof a device of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of a dental device of the present disclosurefor use on an upper jaw structure of a patient to provide anterior,anterior-lateral, and/or vertical movement to components of an upper jawstructure.

FIG. 3A shows a perspective view of a dental device of the presentdisclosure for use on an upper jaw structure of a patient to provideanterior, anterior-lateral, and/or vertical movement to components of anupper jaw structure.

FIG. 3B shows a schematic of an example wire movement mechanism toprovide anterior movement.

FIG. 3C shows a top view of a dental device of the present disclosurefor use on an upper jaw structure of a patient to provide anterior,anterior-lateral, and/or vertical movement to components of an upper jawstructure.

FIG. 4 shows a top view of an example embodiment a dental device of thepresent disclosure for use on an upper jaw structure of a patient toprovide anterior, anterior-lateral, and/or vertical movement tocomponents of an upper jaw structure.

FIG. 5 shows a top view of an example embodiment a dental device of thepresent disclosure for use on an upper jaw structure of a patient toprovide anterior, anterior-lateral, and/or vertical movement tocomponents of an upper jaw structure.

FIG. 6A shows a forward view of a patient with facial asymmetry.

FIG. 6B shows a forward view of a patient with facial asymmetry.

FIG. 6C shows a forward view of a patient with facial asymmetry.

FIG. 6D shows a forward view of a patient with facial asymmetry.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

So that the manner in which the features and advantages of theembodiments of apparatus, systems, and methods for anterior,anterior-lateral, and/or vertical dental structure movement, as well asothers, which will become apparent, may be understood in more detail, amore particular description of the embodiments of the present disclosurebriefly summarized previously may be had by reference to the embodimentsthereof, which are illustrated in the appended drawings, which form apart of this specification. It is to be noted, however, that thedrawings illustrate only various embodiments of the disclosure and aretherefore not to be considered limiting of the present disclosure'sscope, as it may include other effective embodiments as well.

Referring first to FIG. 1, a side view is shown of a patient jawstructure including an outline of a device of the present disclosure. InFIG. 1, patient jaw structure 100 includes lower jaw structure 102 andupper jaw structure 104. Upper jaw structure 104 includes upper palate106 with upper plurality of teeth 108. Teeth 108 can include naturalteeth and artificial teeth. Upper jaw structure 104 can also includeposterior pre-existing dental structures 118. Posterior pre-existingdental structures 118 can be permanently or temporarily incorporatedinto upper jaw structure 104. Posterior pre-existing dental structures118 can include natural structures such as teeth or artificialstructures such as dental implants. Lower jaw structure 102 includeslower plurality of teeth 110. Placed within upper palate 106 is shown anoutline of dental device 112, which is described further with regard toFIGS. 2-5. Dental device 112 can be inserted to be made semi-permanentvia dental cementation or glue, or it can be removable and re-insertableby the patient and/or doctor. For example, dental device 112 can becustom manufactured to fit a patient-specific mold of upper palate 106and upper plurality of teeth 108 so that dental device 112 grippinglyfits within upper palate 106 and upper plurality of teeth 108. One ormore metal extensions from dental device 112 can help secure dentaldevice 112 amongst upper plurality of teeth 108 or amongst posteriorpre-existing dental structures 118.

Upper front palate 114 and upper front teeth 116 experience anteriormovement and pressure applied by dental device 112, shown with arrowlabeled A. Upper front palate 114 and upper front teeth 116 can also,separately or simultaneously, experience vertical movement and pressureapplied by dental device 112, shown with arrow labeled V. Such avertical force V can originate through rotational movement of a device,such as one or more hinge. The rotational movement is referencedgenerally in FIG. 1 as the arrow labeled R, and the hinge is describedfurther with respect to FIGS. 2 and 3. Forward anterior and/or upwardvertical movement, optionally in addition to lateral movement, of theupper jaw structure 104 including upper palate 106 and upper pluralityof teeth 108 allows for optimal placement of upper front palate 114 andupper front teeth 116 for lip support, bone structure support, andfacial symmetry as determined by a patient's face best ratios forsymmetry.

Importantly, such anterior, vertical, and/or lateral movements andpressure can be applied to one lateral side of a patient's mouth or toboth lateral sides of a patient's mouth simultaneously. As describedhere throughout, a device is applied for movement in the upper portionsof a patient's mouth such as upper jaw structure 104; however, one ofordinary skill in the art will understand such devices could be equallywell applied in the lower portion of a patient's mouth to apply movementto lower jaw structure 102 including lower plurality of teeth 110.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a side view is shown of a dental device of thepresent disclosure for use on an upper jaw structure of a patient toprovide anterior, anterior-lateral, and/or vertical movement tocomponents of an upper jaw structure. Dental device 200 includes ananterior portion 202 and a posterior portion 204. Posterior portion 204can be anchored to posterior pre-existing dental structures, for exampleposterior pre-existing dental structures 118. Anterior portion 202 canprovide anterior, anterior-lateral, and/or vertical movement topre-existing anterior dental components such as for example upper frontpalate 114 and upper front teeth 116, shown in FIG. 1. Connecting wire206 connects anterior portion 202 with posterior portion 204, and insome embodiments ultimately connects four portions of the dental device,described in more detail with respect to FIG. 3C.

Forward movement of connecting wire 206 in the anterior direction ofarrow A allows for anterior movement of anterior portion 202. Anteriorrotational separation component 208 allows for one or more separationdevices to separate anterior portion 202 from posterior portion 204. Forexample as shown, anterior rotational separation component 208 allowsfor anterior movement in direction A as connecting wire 206 moves indirection A, in one embodiment with the turn of a screw (described inmore detail with respect to FIGS. 3A and 3B), and anterior rotationalseparation component 208 also allows for vertical movement of anteriorportion in direction of arrow V by rotation R of anterior rotationalseparation component 208. Connecting wire 206 can also be slightly bentin the direction V as required to provide rotational pressure indirection R to upper front palate 114 and upper front teeth 116, andconnecting wire 206 can also be bent slightly laterally outwardly toprovide outward lateral pressure on either side of a patient's teeth.

Anterior movement A and vertical movement V of anterior portion 202allows dental device 200 to apply pressure to upper jaw structure 104including upper palate 106 and upper plurality of teeth 108 which inturn allows for optimal placement of upper front palate 114 and upperfront teeth 116 for lip support, bone structure support, and facialsymmetry as determined by a patient's face best ratios for symmetry.

In the embodiment of the anterior rotational separation component 208 asshown anterior base 210 is affixed in the material of anterior portion202 and posterior base 212 is affixed in the material of posteriorportion 204. Posterior joint 214 and anterior joint 216 can rotateindependently and promote pivoting about connecting wire 206. In otherwords, hinge point 220 about which anterior portion 202 and posteriorportion 204 can flex is created. In the embodiment shown, for example,turning posterior joint 214 and anterior joint 216 increases theirseparation from posterior base 212 and anterior base 210, respectively,and the lower portions of anterior portion 202 and posterior portion 204separate, resulting in anterior movement A. Additionally, as posteriorjoint 214 and anterior joint 216 are turned and they separate fromposterior base 212 and anterior base 210, respectively, a rotation ofanterior portion 202 about hinge point 220, and a lifting of anteriorportion 202, shown by “V” results. Thus, by turning posterior joint 214and anterior joint 216, rotation R, anterior movement A, and verticalmovement V occurs. In some embodiments, posterior joint 214, anteriorjoint 216, or both are turned in place, thus not resulting in separationof the posterior joint 214 and anterior joint 216 from the posteriorbase 212 and anterior base 210, resulting in little to no anteriormovement A, but still resulting in rotation R and vertical movement V.The resulting forces applied to anterior portion 202 are transferred toupper jaw structure 104 including upper palate 106 and upper pluralityof teeth 108 allows for optimal placement of upper front palate 114 andupper front teeth 116 for lip support, bone structure support, andfacial symmetry as determined by a patient's face best ratios forsymmetry.

Connecting wire 206 extends through components 208, 210, 212, 214, and216, and is anchored into components 202, 204. The anterior-most andposterior-most portions of connecting wire 206 are positioned withinanterior portion 202 and posterior portion 204, respectively. Connectingwire 206 is allowed to slip inside of anterior portion 202. Thisconfiguration allows components 208, 210, 212, 214, and 216 to move onlyaxially along the connecting wire 206, preventing lateral separation insome embodiments. Stabilizing wire 224 connects anterior portion 202 andposterior portion 204 internally to provide additional supportconnecting the portions. Stabilizing wire 224 can provide additionalforce in the vertical or lateral plane by the bending of stabilizingwire 224.

In addition to anterior rotational separation component 208 oralternative to it, one or more simple adjustable and locking hinge couldbe disposed between anterior portion 202 and posterior portion 204 inaddition to connecting wire 206. The hinge can be positioned onconnecting wire 206. The adjustable and locking hinge can include gears,screws, or other mechanical mechanisms. For example as additionalmovement and pressure is desired on upper front palate 114 and upperfront teeth 116 for lip support, bone structure support, and facialsymmetry as determined by a patient's face best ratios for symmetry, ahinge between posterior portion 204 and anterior portion 202 could beloosened by a patient or dentist, slightly expanded in direction ofrotation R to provide more arc between anterior portion 202 andposterior portion 204, and locked (for example with a screw or keymechanism) for wear.

FIG. 3A shows a side perspective view of a dental device of the presentdisclosure for use on an upper jaw structure of a patient to provideanterior, anterior-lateral, and/or vertical movement to components of anupper jaw structure. In dental device 300 with posterior portion 302,anterior component 306, and wire 304, screw base 21 is affixed to therear of posterior portion 302, and screw 22 allows for rotation in andout of screw base 21. Wire 304 has one end which sits in screw 22 and anopposite end which is embedded into anterior component 306. As screw 22is rotatingly turned to extend in the anterior direction A out of screwbase 21, wire 304 also moves in the anterior direction A applyingmovement and pressure to anterior component 306. Stabilizing wire 324connects anterior component 306 and posterior portion 302 to provideadditional support connecting the portions. The resulting forces appliedto anterior component 306 are transferred to upper jaw structure 104including upper palate 106, and upper plurality of teeth 108 allows foroptimal placement of upper front palate 114 and upper front teeth 116for lip support, bone structure support, and facial symmetry asdetermined by a patient's face best ratios for symmetry. Wire 304 canalso be bent slightly in a rotational movement to provide verticalpressure against a palate or jaw structure.

FIG. 3B shows an enlarged schematic of screw base 21 and screw 22 alongwith wire 304 from FIG. 3A. Wire 304 can be anchored in or otherwiseattached to screw 22.

FIG. 3C shows a top section view of a dental device of the presentdisclosure for use on an upper jaw structure of a patient to provideanterior, anterior-lateral, and/or vertical movement to components of anupper jaw structure. In device 400, posterior portions 11, 12 are shownconnected to anterior portions 13, 14 by wire 402. As described withrespect to FIGS. 2, 3A, and 3B, movement of wire 402 in the anteriordirection A allows movement of either or both anterior portions 13, 14in the anterior direction A which in turn allows for optimal placementof upper front palate 114 and upper front teeth 116 for lip support,bone structure support, and facial symmetry as determined by a patient'sface best ratios for symmetry. The location of first hinge 404 betweenposterior portion 11 and anterior portion 13 and the location of secondhinge 406 between posterior portion 12 and anterior portion 14 allow forrotational/vertical movement of either or both anterior portions 13, 14as described with respect to FIG. 2.

In the embodiment of FIG. 3C, wire loop 408 is present in wire 402between anterior portions 13, 14, and a patient or dentist can adjustwire loop 408 to be broader or narrower allowing for lateral movement Lof anterior portions 13, 14. The anterior and lateral movement providedby adjustments of wire 402 allows for anterior-lateral movement ofanterior portions 13, 14, shown as direction AL.

FIG. 4 shows a top view of an example embodiment a dental device of thepresent disclosure for use on an upper jaw structure of a patient toprovide anterior, anterior-lateral, and/or vertical movement tocomponents of an upper jaw structure. Device 430 includes posteriorteeth anchors 432, 434 and anterior teeth anchor 436 to stabilize device430 in an upper dental structure of a patient, and expanding hinges 438,440 allow for slow, gradual movement and expansion, along with pressureapplication, in the anterior, lateral, and vertical directions. Theexpanding hinges 438 and 440 can include any of the hinges disclosedherein. The device 430 includes soft pads 442, 444, and 446 made of agel-like substance to distribute pressure and avoid painful pressurepoints. Soft pads 442, 444, and 446 provide additional pressuredistributed along upper front palate 114 and upper front teeth 116. Asadditional soft pads 442, 444, and 446 are added, additional pressure isprovided to upper front palate 114 and upper front teeth 116. Soft padscan be made out of any material that can provide padding and pressuredistribution. Soft pads can be attachable to the dental device, and canbe removable.

FIG. 5 shows a top view of an example embodiment dental device 530 ofthe present disclosure for use on an upper jaw structure of a patient toprovide anterior, anterior-lateral, and/or vertical movement tocomponents of an upper jaw structure. The dental device has been moldedto fit an individual patient's upper palate structure to sit flushagainst the upper front teeth. Dental device 530 includes posteriorteeth anchors 532, 534 and anterior teeth anchor 536 to stabilize dentaldevice 530 in an upper dental structure of a patient, and expandinghinges 538, 540 allow for slow, gradual movement and expansion, alongwith pressure application, in the anterior direction, labeled A; lateraldirection, labeled L; anterior-lateral direction, labeled AL; andvertical direction (not shown). The expanding hinges 538 and 540 caninclude any of the hinges disclosed herein. In some other embodiments,only anterior or only vertical movement is provided, for example only onone lateral side of the device.

FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, and 6D show various forms of facial asymmetry whichcan be fully or partially addressed by the devices disclosed herein.FIG. 6A depicts a face with mostly symmetrical upper jaw structure andlips, and an asymmetrical lower jaw. The asymmetry of lower jawstructure 605 can be seen by comparing the left and right sides of thelower jaw against vertical axis 601 and horizontal axis 602. Providinganterior and downward vertical force on the lower jawline and lower jawstructure 605 can provide improvements in facial symmetry, resulting ina more symmetrical appearance. FIG. 6B depicts a face with anasymmetrical upper jaw structure and asymmetrical lips, as well asinadequate lip support. Upper jaw structure 606 is asymmetrical acrossvertical axis 601. Lips 607 are asymmetrical across vertical axis 601and are asymmetrically positioned across horizontal axis 602. Providingadequate lip support via anterior force and providing additionalanterior and vertical force on portions of upper jaw structure 606 canresult in repositioning of lips 607 and upper front palate 114,providing suitable levels of facial symmetry. FIG. 6C depicts a facewith asymmetrical lips and inadequate lip support. Lips 607 areasymmetrical across vertical axis 601 and are asymmetrically positionedacross horizontal axis 602. Providing adequate lip support via anteriorand vertical force on upper teeth (not shown) and upper jaw structure606 can result in suitable levels of facial symmetry. FIG. 6D depicts aface with asymmetrical lips and an asymmetrical lower jaw. Providinganterior and downward vertical force on the lower jawline and lower jawstructure 605 can provide improvements in facial symmetry, resulting ina more symmetrical appearance. Providing adequate lip support viaanterior force and providing additional anterior and vertical force onportions of upper jaw structure 606 and upper front palate 114 canresult in suitable levels of facial symmetry.

The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents, unlessthe context clearly dictates otherwise.

In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed embodimentsof apparatus, systems, and methods for anterior, anterior-lateral,and/or vertical dental structure movement of the present disclosure, andalthough specific terms are employed, the terms are used in adescriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Theembodiments of the present disclosure have been described inconsiderable detail with specific reference to these illustratedembodiments. It will be apparent, however, that various modificationsand changes can be made within the spirit and scope of the disclosure asdescribed in the foregoing specification, and such modifications andchanges are to be considered equivalents and part of this disclosure.

That claimed is:
 1. A dental device for providing anterior and verticalmovement, the device comprising: a posterior portion to be affixed toand supported by a posterior dental structure of a patient; and ananterior portion connected to and separable from the posterior portion,the anterior portion operable to provide anterior movement and verticalmovement to an anterior dental structure of the patient.
 2. The dentaldevice according to claim 1, wherein the device is further configured toprovide anterior-lateral movement to the anterior dental structure ofthe patient.
 3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the posteriorand anterior portion are connected by a wire, the wire operable to movein an anterior direction.
 4. The device according to claim 3, whereinthe posterior and anterior portions have a hinge disposed therebetweento allow rotation of the anterior portion such that vertical movementand pressure are applied against an anterior dental structure of thepatient.
 5. The device according to claim 4, wherein the hinge isadjustable and lockable.
 6. The device according to claim 4, wherein thehinge comprises an anterior joint and a posterior joint pivoting aboutthe wire.
 7. The device according to claim 1, where the posteriorportion comprises a first posterior portion and a second posteriorportion, and where the anterior portion comprises a first anteriorportion and a second anterior portion.
 8. The device according to claim7, where a wire connects the first posterior portion, the first anteriorportion, the second anterior portion, and the second posterior portion,and where the wire is adjustable between the first anterior portion andsecond anterior portion to provide outward lateral movement of the firstanterior portion and second anterior portion toward an anterior dentalstructure of the patient.
 9. The device according to claim 8, where thedevice comprises a first hinge between the first posterior portion andthe first anterior portion, and where the device further comprises asecond hinge between the second anterior portion and the secondposterior portion, the first and second hinges operable to rotate thefirst and second anterior portions to provide vertical movement towardand pressure on an anterior dental structure of the patient.
 10. Thedevice according to claim 1, wherein the posterior dental structure ofthe patient is selected from the group consisting of teeth, a jawline,and a palate.
 11. The device according to claim 10, wherein the deviceprovides symmetry to at least one anterior dental structure to providefacial symmetry to the patient in addition to lip support.
 12. Thedevice according to claim 1, wherein the device further comprises ascrew base and a screw, the screw operable to allow for rotation in andout of the screw base such that the rotation provides movement andpressure to the anterior dental structure.
 13. The device according toclaim 1, wherein the device further comprises an attachable pad, theattachable pad positioned on the anterior portion, wherein theattachable pad is operable to provide movement and pressure to theanterior dental structure.
 14. A method for providing pressure to ananterior dental structure of a patient, the method comprising the stepsof: determining a suitable level of facial symmetry for a patient andnecessary movement of teeth, a palate, and/or jawline to achieve thesuitable level of facial symmetry along with lip support; and providinganterior, vertical, and/or anterior-lateral movement to the teeth, apalate, and/or jawline to achieve the suitable level of facial symmetry.15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the step of providinganterior, vertical, and/or anterior-lateral movement comprises the useof the device of claim
 1. 16. The method according to claim 15, whereinthe step of providing anterior, vertical, and/or anterior-lateralmovement further comprises the step of bending the wire of the device ofclaim
 3. 17. The method according to claim 15, wherein the step ofproviding anterior, vertical, and/or anterior-lateral movement furthercomprises the step of adjusting the hinge of the device of claim
 4. 18.The method according to claim 15, wherein the step of providinganterior, vertical, and/or anterior-lateral movement further comprisesthe step of turning the screw of the device of claim
 12. 19. The methodaccording to claim 15, wherein the step of providing anterior, vertical,and/or anterior-lateral movement further comprises the step of adding anattachable pad to the device of claim 1, wherein the attachable pad ispositioned on the anterior portion such that the attachable pad isoperable to provide movement and pressure to the anterior dentalstructure.
 20. The method according to claim 14, wherein the step ofdetermining a suitable level of facial symmetry for a patient andnecessary movement of teeth, a palate, and/or jawline to achieve thesuitable level of facial symmetry along with lip support comprises theuse of a computer generated evaluation.
 21. A method of manufacturing adental device, the method comprising the steps of: determining asuitable level of facial symmetry for a patient and necessary movementof teeth, a palate, and/or jawline to achieve the suitable level offacial symmetry along with lip support; taking a dental impression ofthe patient; generating the dental device of claim 1 using the dentalimpression such that anterior, vertical, and/or anterior-lateralmovement to the teeth, a palate, and/or jawline is provided to achievethe suitable level of facial symmetry.
 22. The method of claim 21,further comprising the step of installing a hinge in the dental device,such that the hinge can generate the proper amount of anterior,vertical, and/or anterior-lateral movement.